People who are bilingual have longer attention spans and a better ability to focus, assert researchers from the UK's University of Birmingham. Researchers performed tests on a group of people who spoke only English and another group who since an early age have spoken English and Chinese.

Widespread staffing shortages are expected as schools in Turkey reopen following the firing of tens of thousands of teachers over their suspected alliances in an attempted coup. As students returned to school, they watched videos and read pamphlets related to the political uprising.

The world must ensure that all children receive an education or face the consequences of an uneducated populace, writes Gordon Brown, the United Nations special envoy for global education. Without education, children will be unable to fulfill their potential and will become "easy prey for extremists and terrorist organizations," he writes.

Some developing countries lag behind when it comes to access to higher education, according to a study of higher-education participation rates in 35 countries in South Asia and Africa by researchers at the University of Cambridge. Researchers found that socioeconomic status played a factor and that female students often faced obstacles.

Thailand has opened a science, technology, engineering and maths hub as part of a public-private partnership designed to improve STEM teaching and learning. The hub will be a resource for eight host schools and 32 workstation schools.

Ireland Education Minister Richard Bruton recently proposed that students begin learning computer coding as early as primary school. In this commentary, teacher Michelle McBride suggests that students have access to a varied curriculum and that more thought go into whether to focus on coding.

The ECIS International Teacher Certificate has been specifically designed to equip teachers with the global mindset and understanding necessary for outstanding teaching in our contemporary world. The course is an integrated, standards-based professional development experience assessed by Cambridge International Examinations. For more information and registration, visit our ITC Page.

ECIS November conference 16-19 November 2016 – Copenhagen, Denmark

There are now less than three months to go until another incredible opportunity to learn, grow and network in Copenhagen at the ECIS Annual Educators Conference. Visit our conference page to register and find information about pre-conference workshops and presenters. The theme of Cultivating Curiosity permeates the professional learning here, informing and transforming the practice of professional educators from near and far.

The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.

Mark Caine, writer

About ECIS

Founded in 1965, ECIS is a global membership organisation that provides professional development opportunities to its members who are comprised of international schools, individuals and educational organisations.